August 25 / 14.45 Epsom

14.45

Good

Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap

  • Prize money: £10308
  • 0m 7f 3y
  • Class 3
  • 9 runners
RTV
View Course
Betfred “The Classic Bookmaker” Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

13/2 (Won)

Form: 122126 CD

Last run: 22 days

W: 9st 6lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who has won three times this year and latest was over C&D in June; couldn't hang in there at Galway (sixth of 15) last time but that was a respectable effort from a tough draw and he still looks on a workable mark; dangerous dropped back in grade.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

3

(20)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 5f 0y

Class 2

14:40 York

Partisan Hero

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: David Loughnane

All wins at 7f/1m but he was placed twice over 5f in Bahrain during the winter; met trouble when second favourite at Chester (extended 7f) on his return to Britain 17 days ago; harder to pin down than some of these and certainly not discounted.

12/1

7th

5

(1)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 127y

Class 2

14:05 Chester

Partisan Hero

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Loughnane

All wins have been over 7f and 1m so it arguably bodes well for his prospects here that he's performed well over sprint trips in Bahrain this year; very good second in this race (good ground) last year from an outside stall and this front-runner has fared a lot better with the draw this time; top of the list.

11/2

1st

6

(2)

25th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

14:45 Epsom

Partisan Hero

9st 6lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: David Loughnane

Front-runner who has won three times this year and latest was over C&D in June; couldn't hang in there at Galway (sixth of 15) last time but that was a respectable effort from a tough draw and he still looks on a workable mark; dangerous dropped back in grade.

13/2

Form: 196613 CD

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 3lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Made it 3-6 when landing a C&D handicap (good) last month and he found more progress when front-running third in big field at Glorious Goodwood (7f, good to soft); only 1lb higher on this drop back in grade and he's an interesting contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(9)

14th Oct 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:44 Leicester

Aurora Majesty

9st 12lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Won for the first time since going handicapping at Epsom in July (7f, good) and was subsequently placed at Goodwood (7f, good to soft) and back at Epsom (7f, good); cheekpieces now tried and on a career high mark (3lb higher than last time); contender.

8/1

2nd

9

(5)

25th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

14:45 Epsom

Aurora Majesty

9st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Made it 3-6 when landing a C&D handicap (good) last month and he found more progress when front-running third in big field at Glorious Goodwood (7f, good to soft); only 1lb higher on this drop back in grade and he's an interesting contender.

4/1

3rd

16

(2)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

15:45 Goodwood

Aurora Majesty

8st 7lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Archie Watson

Bounced back to form at Epsom (7f, good) one month ago, taking record to 3-6; faces a stiffer assignment off new mark in this grade but the track looks a plus, as he should take well to Goodwood.

16/1

OUR TIP

Form: 36-558

Last run: 44 days

W: 10st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Short-headed in 3yo Listed race over C&D last May and he ran some good races in defeat in Qatar and UAE between last November and this March; however, he returned to Britain with a 9l defeat at York last month and needs to leave that form well behind; cheekpieces reapplied.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

4

(5)

12th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

16:47 Goodwood

Native American

9st 10lb

J: George Wood

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Kept on for third at Epsom (7f, good) in August and 6l second at Sandown (7f, soft) last time behind an improved winner; the step back up in trip could be a plus (he ran well over 1m1f at Meydan in February); chance.

12/1

2

(9)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:15 Sandown

Native American

9st 10lb

J: Faleh Bughenaim

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Useful at two and three when trained by Richard Fahey; unable to win in the Middle East last winter but he ran his best race for a while when third of nine in a 7f handicap (good) at Epsom 18 days ago, plugging on having been outpaced in the straight; today's more conventional track should suit and he'll be fine on good to soft (unraced on slower).

4/1

3rd

1

(6)

25th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

14:45 Epsom

Native American

10st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Hamad Al Jehani

Short-headed in 3yo Listed race over C&D last May and he ran some good races in defeat in Qatar and UAE between last November and this March; however, he returned to Britain with a 9l defeat at York last month and needs to leave that form well behind; cheekpieces reapplied.

7/1

Form: 311102 CD BF

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Won three in a row on fast ground in June/July and second leg was over C&D; had tough task at Glorious Goodwood but he returned to form with a strong-finishing second at Musselburgh (7f, good) 17 days ago; looks interesting off only 1lb higher here and he's 2-4 at this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

(3)

22nd May 2026

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:52 Goodwood

Crimson Spirit

9st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Best form at 7f on good/firmer; completed a hat-trick last summer and ran creditably in big field at Newmarket in the first of his two starts this term; chance may depend on the actions of the weather, however.

8/1

10th

5

(12)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Crimson Spirit

9st 6lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Best form at 7f on good/firmer; completed a hat-trick last summer and could be set for further success this term, having performed encouragingly (third of 18) at Newmarket on reappearance; one to consider.

6/1

3rd

12

(17)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

17:20 Newmarket

Crimson Spirit

9st 2lb

J: Alec Voikhansky

T: Daniel & Claire Kubler

Started last term very well; third of 21 at York (good) in May followed by hat-trick of wins (also 7f, good to firm) across June and July; remains 4lb above his last winning mark but could feature if returning in similar vein.

14/1

Form: 414311 D

Last run: 12 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Seven-time turf winner, who has won three of his last five starts including a dominant display at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) 12 days ago; up 7lb but he really kicked on again with that 4l win and he's open to more progress; big player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

3

(9)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 96y

Class 4

16:00 Beverley

Bell Shot

9st 8lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Michael Appleby

Kickstarted 2026 with 6f success at Southwell and comes here on the back of a good third of 11 in 7f Kempton handicap; this three-time C&D scorer must enter calculations.

9/2

3rd

3

(5)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Bell Shot

9st 8lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Michael Appleby

Nine-time winner (6f-7.4f), who defied this mark at Southwell in January but he's been well held in three runs since; now drops back in grade but he needs to get back near his best.

20/1

6th

10

(2)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 1y

Class 3

16:45 Chester

Bell Shot

9st 4lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Michael Appleby

Did too much up front kept to AW on return from break last time, again running below the form of his January win; effective on turf but has never defied a mark as high as current one.

20/1

Form: 332033 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Did well at Meydan earlier in the year (7f/1m) and was a close third at Sandown (7f, good to firm) last month but he didn't really fire at Newmarket (third of six) last time; that took his record to 1-10 and others are more persuasive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(8)

25th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

14:45 Epsom

The Fingal Raven

9st 4lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Did well at Meydan earlier in the year (7f/1m) and was a close third at Sandown (7f, good to firm) last month but he didn't really fire at Newmarket (third of six) last time; that took his record to 1-10 and others are more persuasive.

8/1

1

(7)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

16:17 Newmarket (July)

The Fingal Raven

9st 10lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Jamie Osborne

Did well at Meydan earlier in the year (7f/1m) and bounced back from his no-show in the Britannia with a close third at Sandown (7f, good to firm) to Mudbir who went in again last week at Goodwood; interesting off an untouched mark.

5/1

20/1

Form: -26007 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Record of 2-4 as a 2yo; found more progress when a close second on seasonal debut at Newmarket (7f, good) in April but he's struggled in four subsequent runs; mark is falling but he needs a major revival with headgear added.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(5)

28th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:48 Yarmouth

Fifty Nifty

9st 7lb

J: Joey Haynes

T: Chelsea Banham

Dual fast-ground winner (1m/7f) for Tom Clover, including on his debut at this track in April 2024; shaped quite well at Kempton (6f, AW) in December but failed to build on that next time and has since left Mick Appleby; has bit to prove after six months off but he's had wind surgery and needs watching in market on stable debut.

11/2

6th

6

(9)

18th Nov 2025

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

17:15 Newcastle (AW)

Fifty Nifty

9st 7lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Michael Appleby

Dual turf winner for Tom Clover (7f/1m) last year, but seems to have lost his way including on stable debut at York (1m, good; first-time hood) last month; new yard may find the key to him at some stage and he is a half-brother to an AW winner; worth a market check.

16/1

Form: 19-260 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Three turf wins in the mud in France; creditable second on British/stable debut at Kempton (7f, AW) in January but he failed to build on that at Newcastle and was virtually pulled up on his Goodwood reappearance (7f, good) last month; bled from the nose last time but he looks on a tough enough mark and others are preferred.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

6

(11)

18th Apr 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:58 Thirsk

Society Man

9st 5lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Charlie Johnston

None too consistent for current stable and his best efforts in Britain have been on AW; ideally suited by testing ground when trained in France so rain would aid his cause.

12/1

9th

6

(6)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 4

20:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Society Man

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Johnston

Gained sole British success in Kempton event in October off 3lb higher; inconsistent otherwise and is by no means certain to back up latest effort (ran respectably).

9/1

Form: 722010

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 6lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Trounced his rivals in Windsor novice (1m, good to firm) last month but he's found things tough in Ascot handicaps (Class 2) either side of that; still unexposed and now drops back in grade but he needs more progress back at this trip.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(2)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 1f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Newmarket

Competizione

9st 9lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Has something to prove having been well beaten in handicaps on his last two starts; however, this 3yo impressed in a novice at Windsor (1m, good to firm) in July and is in top hands; too soon to write him off.

10/1

9th

5

(1)

25th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

14:45 Epsom

Competizione

9st 6lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Trounced his rivals in Windsor novice (1m, good to firm) last month but he's found things tough in Ascot handicaps (Class 2) either side of that; still unexposed and now drops back in grade but he needs more progress back at this trip.

7/1

12th

15

(16)

26th Jul 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Ascot

Competizione

8st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Made no impact in the Britannia and he faced a much easier task when landing the odds in Windsor novice (1m, good to firm) next time; back in deeper waters here but he's low mileage, in good hands and hard to rule out.

11/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £18.21
Tricast £96.49

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Crimson Spirit

Daily Mail:

Aurora Majesty

POSTDATA:

Competizione

Telegraph:

Bell Shot

The Times:

The Fingal Raven

NEWMARKET:

Native American

TOPSPEED:

Partisan Hero

The Star:

Competizione

Daily Mirror:

Aurora Majesty

Daily Record:

Aurora Majesty

RP RATINGS:

Crimson Spirit

LAMBOURN:

Crimson Spirit

D Express:

Crimson Spirit

The Sun:

Crimson Spirit

The Guardian:

Bell Shot